Wagon Train to Idaho: A Western Bounty Hunter, Romance, and Entrepreneur Series—Book 3

By Richard M Beloin MD

The Story……..

A wagon train hired US Marshall and a college trained agronomist decide to play the part of a married couple to allow a single female an easier passage to the 1000 miles to Idaho. For weeks they learned how life was on a wagon train as Cole worked as a scout looking for known outlaw gangs. Each night Tess would present the facts about growing vegetables, especially potatoes in Idaho, as Cole saw the end of wagon trains, and got interested in vegetable farming.

At the same time, the Duo fell in love. After finally bringing the Barber gang to justice, The Duo made plans to leave the train. Having made friends with the Pulaskis, a family of farmers with four teenage boys, they hired them to operate their farm in Idaho once they arrived.

To prepare for their arrival, the Duo took the train and covered the last 500 miles in 24 hours. Once there they bought a ranch with buildings and land. They then purchased workhorses, implements, old manure piles; as they arranged for building a hay, implement, and potato shed.

When the Pulaskis arrived in mid-July, they were given the goal of cultivating and fertilizing 400 acres out of harvested hay fields by Oct 1st. By April 1st they planted potatoes, sugar beets, carrots, onions, and turnips. After a summer of maintaining the crops, the fall harvest arrived. Over the years, they expanded the crop acreage and became wealthy, as all their workers prospered and the next generation stayed on.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Apr 13, 2023
• ISBN: 9781669872955

Richard M Beloin MD

The author is a retired physician who now spends his winters in South Texas with his wife of 50 years. After fifteen years as an accomplished Cowboy Action Shooter and a lifelong enthusiast of American Western History, he has returned to writing in 2016. He has been writing western fiction circa 1880’s since 2018 and has now accumulated four books in this series. They are: Wayne’s Calling, Cal’s Mission, Sylvia’s Dream, and this latest production called Paladin Duos.

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Copyright © 2023 by Richard M Beloin MD.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Some of my stories occur during well documented historical events such as the 1918 Influeza, WW1, the Roaring 20’s, and so on. It is again coincidental that this story occurs during these times, but the story itself does not alter the historical facts.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 04/10/2023

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CONTENTS

Dedication

Chapter 1—The Facade

Chapter 2—The Meeting

Chapter 3—Final Preparations

Chapter 4—Wagons Ho

Chapter 5—The Barber Gang

Chapter 6—Fort Kearney

Chapter 7—The Transition

Chapter 8—Laramie to Idaho

Chapter 9—Acquiring a Homestead

Chapter 10—Finalizing Preparations

Chapter 11—The Pulaskis Arrive

Chapter 12—Cultivating 500 Acres

Chapter 13—First Potato Harvest

Chapter 14—Planting & Harvesting 500 Acres

Chapter 15—Expanding and the Future

Epilogue

About the Author

Author’s Publications

DEDICATION

This book is dedicated to my friends who have spent years on the modern wagon trains—full-timers on RV’s. They are Milt, Diane, Charlie, Jean, Curt and Sandra Jeanne.

CHAPTER 1

The Facade

Cole and Bud were pushing their horses hard as they spotted the Manning gang some two miles ahead. The Duo had been trailing these outlaws for a month from town to town where these miscreants had caused misery with many dead victims during robberies. They were now in the bounty hunter’s sight and would not escape this time.

At a slow gallop, Bud said, I think these idiots are heading for that canyon we heard about. Well, if we’re that lucky, that’s a box canyon and a dead-end. Sure enough, within a half hour, the gang rode up to boulders that marked the end of the canyon. Ezra Manning was furious, how could you not know this was a box canyon, you idiot! We told you, boss, Shorty is short a brick to make a load, that’s why we call him Shorty! Well Shorty is going to have a short time left with this gang, if we can get out of here alive?

Meanwhile the Duo reined up about 150 yards from the canyon’s obvious dead-end. After hiding their horses away from gunfire. Cole took his Sharps and placed a 45-70 cartridge in the breech. Using his ladder sight, he let fly. The result was the pulverization of a 12-inch rock.

There, that lets them know I am in range to keep them at bay. Bud added. Yep, if all they have is their 1873 Win. rifles in 44-40, their lead will fall at our feet. If we plan this out, we’ll be done bounty hunting on the trail and time for a change of profession.

After nightfall, Cole said, we are well situated and these killers will have to ride right thru us in order to escape. If we are both armed with our double barrel Greeners, they will meet a violent end, like the lives they lived and all the predations they caused. Bud added, well to come barreling out at a full gallop, they’ll need some daylight or they would likely collide with any of these boulders. So, let’s get some shut eye before we hear hoofbeats coming at us, heh? Ok, I’ll take the first watch and I’ll wake you in 2 hours.

*

During his watch, Cole ruminated about his years since becoming a bounty hunter. At the age of 18, Cole had become a master at speed drawing and the fastest rifle shooter that the local sheriff had ever seen. It was fortunate that Bud Parker, now a retired sheriff and a widower from Missouri, showed up to visit his Civil War buddy. Well Bud what are your plans at age 45? I’ve been a sheriff for 20 years, and all I own are my guns, horse, several change of clothes, saddle bags of personals, and a hundred dollars in my pocket. I want to legally make money quickly and start a bank account. Well, then with your experience as a lawman, I suggest you become a bounty hunter."

I’ve been thinking of that, but as a solo hunter, I’d have to go after minor crooks with a small bounty on their heads and be required to bring them in alive. Not a very productive business if you ask me. However, if I had a partner who was a shootist, and with my experience and tracking ability, we could go after the big gangs which pay big bucks, dead or alive. Yep, it would even be better if we could add a huge dog as well. Well, don’t I have the answer for you!

Cole then recalled the last five years. We’ve arrested three dozen gangs and brought back 60% to stand trial, of which three quarters were hung as the balance got a prison term. Now with 60/40 ratio in dividing bounty rewards, Bud has $32,000 and I have $48,000 in the Wells Fargo banking system out of Kansas City, Missouri. Guess it is time to retire from this dangerous job where every outlaw wants to torture us before they kill us.

It was during Cole’s second watch that he heard noise coming from the outlaw camp. After awakening Bud, the Duo got ready for the onslaught that was expected. Sure as heck, withing minutes, hoofbeats were heard coming at full galloping speeds. When the lead riders were within 25 yards, they started shooting their pistols at rocks, just to keep the hunter’s heads down. The Duo was strategically positioned 25 yards apart, so Bud would get the chance to fire first. Cole was waiting when he heard BOOM------BOOM. In seconds, two riderless horses appeared followed by two shooting riders. Cole let fly, BOOM-------BOOM, and two riders were catapulted legs overhead onto their horse’s rumps and off in the air to land face down on the ground.

After gathering the outlaws’ horses, the dead outlaws were secured to their horses’ saddles. The Duo then made some coffee and had a full breakfast of bacon, beans, and hardtack. Well Bud, this was our last agreed caper. What are your thoughts about your future. Are you interested in joining a wagon train to head out west. You know we’ve been offered a generous fee to act as the wagon train’s official protection team against waylaying outlaws that have plagued wagon trains on the Oregon Trail?

Yep, I’ve thought a lot about that, and I think that’s a good deal. Except, I reserve the right to jump off the train at any location I choose to live out my golden years. Deal. So tomorrow, I’ll stop in Omaha to collect our bounty and have a final meeting with Captain Maxwell of the US Marshal Service. By the time I sell these horses, saddles, some of the guns, get our telegraph vouchers, and sign a contract with the captain, it will be three days before I join you. Meanwhile, while in Omaha, buy a prairie schooner, two teams of large geldings, and supply it with all the vittles, ammo, extra clothing including rain slickers and winter coats, and two extra axles plus two extra wheels, front and rear. Then go ahead to where the wagon train camp is settled in, make contact with the wagon master as his future protection team, and I’ll join you as soon as possible.

*

The first day, Cole made it to the telegraph office with the city marshal, as they sent the appropriate gram to Kansas City, Missouri. The second day, Cole sold the four horses with tack and saddles for $450.00. The guns included three used Win 1866 rifles and three older Colt Patterson revolvers for a total of $100. Cole elected to keep Manning’s personal weapons, a new Win. 1873 and a new Peacemaker, both in 44-40 caliber, the same caliber as his and Bud’s own firearms. That same day, Cole had a meeting with Captain Maxwell.

Captain Maxwell started, I am glad to hear that you and Bud are interested in ridding the wagon trains to stop marauding thieves and killers. It appears that their mode of operation is for three outlaws to arrive and leave their horses 200 yards from the wagon train. They then walk to the wagon train. One man becomes the watch outside the wagon, one keeps the adults quiet, and one searches for the money they know is hidden in the wagon. Unfortunately, half of these pioneers are slaughtered and the other half are knocked out.

Cole then asked, so they are thieves and killers. Are they to be brought back alive? No, on a wagon train, the wagon master is the law along with you and Bud as deputized lawmen on assignment. So it is dead, not dead or alive, since the nearest land-based lawman/jail can be many hundreds of miles away, and you are not going to drag a tumbleweed wagon some hundred miles to bring prisoners to the nearest jail.

How many are in the gang, what is the leader’s name, and what does it pay? The last we heard, there were 14 members, the leader’s name is Cletus Barber, and the governor is paying $500 for each member you get rid of. Here are two copies of the wanted posters on each outlaw. Once the wagon master signs this form, he is attesting to the fact that the dead outlaw matches the description on this wanted poster. Then you mail the form to me at the nearest post office. I will then deposit $500 in your Wells Fargo bank account.

Deal. I will notify the wagon master, Winston Lewis, that you will be the official US Deputy Marshal on the train and what you are there for. He has agreed, with his scouts, to help you if you need help, in trade for you reporting any scouting info that would benefit the wagon train. You and Bud will be an independent entity in your own wagon. I will now deputize you and you’ll have the authority to deputize Bud as your deputy. So raise your hand…………so help me God. Here is your badge and one for Bud. Be careful and I wish you complete success.

*

After collecting his telegraph vouchers and depositing them, Cole decided to make the estimated five miles to the wagon train camp. He seemingly had just cleared Omaha when he heard gunfire consistent with an all-out gun fight. In response, he pushed his black gelding to a full gallop in the gunfight’s direction. At the sight of a prairie schooner, Cole had the vision of a young woman shooting a shotgun and knocking an attacker off his horse, as another came behind her and slapped his revolver barrel on the back of her head. The rest also became a revelation.

From a hundred yards, Cole saw what was happening thru the scope of his Winchester 76 rifle. One outlaw was ripping off the girl’s dress and undergarments as he was preparing to rape his unconscious victim. The other sycophant, with a birthmark on the left cheek, was cheering the other man in taking the woman, as he was stimulating himself to be next in line.

Without hesitating, standing next to his horse, with his rifle resting on the horse’s saddle, Cole took aim. The would-be rapist was kneeling between the woman’s spread-eagle legs, in full tumescence, as Cole fired. Within a second, the bullet impacted the man in the side of his chest as he went rolling over the prairie grasses. The sycophant was stunned, put his member back in his pants, got on his horse and rode away.

Cole considered shooting the waylaying outlaw in the back, but quickly changed his mind when he realized his attention was needed by the victim. Arriving at a full gallop, as soon as he stepped on the ground, Cole saw a sight that would never leave his mind. There on the ground was a tall slim pale white blonde-haired woman, totally nude, with legs spread eagle and her arms in the open arm position—a stunning beauty. After carefully looking at her female parts, he judged that she had not been raped and was still intact.

The first thing he did after bringing in her arms and legs was to roll her to her side, placed his bedroll underneath her, rolled her back, and covered her with a blanket. Checking out the result of the firefight. An elderly gentleman had been shot in the head and was clearly dead, one outlaw had caught a full load of OO Buckshot from the lady’s shotgun, as the would-be rapist laid there with his member shriveled up.

After collecting the two dead outlaws’ guns and horses, Cole then addressed the unconscious blonde female. Miss, Miss, can you hear me? If you can please say something and or move your hand that I am holding. Seemingly seeing no response, he repeated his words but this time heard the gal start moaning. In time, the gal opened her eyes and said, where am I, what happened, where is Uncle Joe, and who are you?

*

You’re on the Nebraska Plains, you were attacked and nearly raped and killed, unfortunately your uncle is dead, and my name is Cole Ricker, US Deputy Marshal. What is your name? Tess Long! Who is that half naked? That was your would-be rapist. Well with that tiny pecadillo, he wouldn’t have caused much damage. Actually, before I shot him, he had a bone capable of defiling you—all from a thumb size wiener.

The lady then moved her hand to check herself and said, I think you’re right; I am intact; I think. Well I am 100% certain that you are still a virgin. Why is that? Because I took a good long look, and knowing something of the female anatomy, I could tell without a doubt that you had not been taken advantage of in your unconscious state. So you rinsed your eyes to your brain’s content, heh? Yes Ma’am, a man would be a fool to turn his head away from such stunning beauty.

There was a long pause as Tess realized there was no point in continuing this banter about her precarious situation.

Tess had one last question, not to beleaguer the point, but seeing I was unconscious, you could have had your way with me, emptied your tank, and then blame the dead outlaw for raping me. So why didn’t you do it? That Ma’am is not my nature. I would never disrespect a woman, especially one who is unconscious. To do something like that is like building a house of cards; I prefer to build a solid foundation right from the start. Well that makes you a rare breed, like hens with teeth! That was the line that got both to laughing.

After a long pause, Tess asked how he had placed a bed roll under her body and then covered her with a blanket. That was easy, I rolled you to your side, stuck the bed roll on the ground, rolled you back and then covered you with my blanket.

After another pause, Tess asked, where is Uncle Joe? I dragged his body away from the wagon till you are ready to view the body before I bury him. Ok, well I need to get up and get dressed. Would you help me? Sure, first let’s sit you up. Once up Tess started gyrating and said, let me back down or I’m going to throw up. Maybe we had better wait a while, but I can dress you. I found some new pants in the outlaw’s saddle bags that will fit you, and I have a large shirt that will cover your ample bosom. Ok, but how are we going to do this?

Simple, let me show you. Without warning, Cole gets the pants, yanks the blanket off Tess, and before she could object, had both pant legs up to her crotch. Then he said, I’m going to lift your bottom so yank the trousers up. It happened so fast that Tess had to react quickly. To lift her bottom Cole place a hand behind each bum and lifted. To finish the job, he then buttoned up her fly. Tess interrupted him by saying that some hair had gotten stuck in the fly buttons. To correct this, Cole shoved his hand inside the trousers and pulled the hair off the button. Tess was shocked, but knew it was not worth mentioning that he could have achieved the same result by loosening up the buttons.

To get the shirt on, Cole slowly sat her up and helped her get her arms in the sleeves, and then gingerly laid her back down. Once laying on her back, he started buttoning the shirt when Tess said, I think I can do that and can even shove the shirt tail in my pants. Afterwards, Cole dragged her to the wagon’s front wheel to help her sit up. I think we’d better wait a while, before we try to get you up.

During the wait, Cole asked, so what were you and your uncle doing here in the middle of nowhere? We were with a small band of Indiana farmers heading to California. We were heading to Idaho and were planning to separate once in Omaha. Unfortunately, a wheel fell off because of the intense heat and a stretching metal rim. So we stopped to change wheels, and told the other emigrants to go ahead and change their route once in Omaha. We were finished with the repairs when we were attacked. I remember shooting one of the outlaws with my shotgun, then everything went black till I saw your face. After another pause, Tess added, now as a single white female, I may be denied entry into the wagon train heading to Idaho. Well, I’ll be able to help you with that, but that can wait for now. Without warning, Tess started crying. Oh what a mess, my only family is gone, my life’s plans to become a county agent are in shambles, and I don’t know if I have the strength to continue on.

Cole jumped in. Now listen Miss Long, the instant I decided to help you instead of abandoning you and riding off, I made a commitment to you as a person in need. So first, stop feeling bad for yourself. You are not alone; I am here for you. I will promise you that I will help you to get to Idaho, then help you to get settled, and I have the financial means to do so.

Not knowing what to say, Tess said, I think I can stand up. So can we try since I need to pee? Tess slowly got up and Cole walked her to the wagon’s tongue. There Tess dropped her pants, and sat down straddling the tongue. Once done, Cole handed her some privacy papers which he had in his pockets. This time, Tess snuck her pants up and buttoned up the fly by herself. Helping her to sit down on a stool, Cole said, wait here, drink plenty of water, I’ll dig your uncle’s grave and then come and get you for the burial.

*

The burial was a solemn affair, Tess cried thru every shovel full of dirt. Once done, she was so distraught, that she asked Cole to read the three selected passages out of her family’s bible. As they walked back to the wagon, Tess said, I am ready to move on from this terrible ordeal. Two things I want are in reach. And they are? Can’t say for it would jinks their happening, heh? I guess so.

With Blackie and the two outlaw horses trailed behind the schooner, the Duo climbed up on the spring-loaded front seat. As Cole was picking up the reins, Tess turned around and slapped Cole across the face, then approached the same cheek and kissed it. Cole simply said, what you do that for? Slapping you was for looking, staring, and gawking at my nude body. Kissing the same cheek was for saving my virginity and my life."

After another long pause, Cole said, I don’t know much about you, Tess Long. Tell me how you got here? There is no real surprise, I was a happy kid but at age 10 my parents died of cholera. Fortunately, my baren aunt and uncle took me in. In high school I developed a hobby. I planted a yearly huge garden and read every book I could find in the town library about the vegetables I was growing. When I graduated from high school, it seemed that my uncle was thinking of migrating out west for better soil. So, he made my next nine months a real pleasure when I enrolled in the Houston School of Agronomy to learn about growing potatoes, sugar beets, and root vegetables. After graduation, my uncle sold his homestead and belongings, and with $1,300 we all headed west. My aunt didn’t survive the change and died suddenly of what was thought to be a heart attack. A week later we broke down, and the rest you already experienced. It is hard to believe that those highway outlaws could quickly affect so many lives. After a short pause, Tess said, that’s it for me, so now tell me something of your life. I can’t believe that you invaded my personal space without me knowing an iota about you—except that as a man, you are as rare as ‘hen’s teeth.’

Touché. Son of a local sheriff, I spent my formative years learning the gun trade. I learned point shooting with a revolver, fast draw, and mastered the double barrel and lever repeater by the age of 16. I was offered my first real job by an older gent called Bud Parker. Within a week I became a bounty hunter.

"For the next 5 years, Bud and I traveled mostly in Missouri ridding the state of outlaws from bank robbers, murderers, highway men, rapists, and torture experts. The worst were the gangs that invaded ranchers and homesteaders, robbed them, raped their wives and daughters, burned their homes and barns, and often killed the head of household just for pure pleasure. These gangs had high bounties on their heads and paid well but were violent killers that always fought it out to the end. How we lived thru those gunfights I will never understand. Any ways, Bud wants to retire and head out west. So we hired out on a wagon train as US Marshals. Bud and I are deputized to